GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2026 • 1
GBJ 9 Broad Street #7 Glens Falls, NY 12801
GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 38 NO. 07
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SEPTEMBER 2026
Lake George Summer Activity Underscores WCKM-FM Morning Club Co-Hosts Enter Growth In Warren County Tourism New York State Broadcasters Hall Of Fame
Visitors gather beneath hot air balloons at the Adirondack Balloon Festival, a Warren County tradition since 1973 that typically draws about 150,000 spectators and millions in regional spending. BY PAUL POST This year’s strong summer tourist season reinforces a new report showing growth in Warren County’s hospitality industry. The state Division of Tourism says visitor spending rose 3.1% to $956.6 million in 2025 and that tourism, which accounts for 23.5% of all county employment, generated $60.1 million in local tax revenue (up 3.4%) and $57.1 million in state tax revenue (up 4.7%) Likewise, lodging remained the county's largest visitor spending category, increasing more than $14 million from $467 million in 2024 to $481.6 million in 2025. The findings are included in the state’s annual Economic Impact of Visitors to New York study. “I was encouraged, but not surprised that those numbers were as strong as they were,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development
Courtesy Paul Post
Corporation president. “The strength of the Lake George market and its draw is historic. It indicates the strength of the area’s identity and all the players in it.” But Siplon said year-round tourism promotion must continue throughout the county, not just in Lake George. North Creek, for example, has become a summer outdoor recreation hub with Revolution Rail, tubing and rafting expeditions. A new zip coaster ride slated to open next year is expected to be a major draw. These complement North Creek’s role as a major winter destination, with skiing and snowboarding at Gore Mountain. Recent attempts to make Lake George a more year-round destination have had limited success. Costly Winter Dreams and Winter Realm attractions were short-lived, due in part to mild weather. Continued On Page 5
WCKM-FM Morning Club co-hosts Pete Cloutier (left) and Dan Miner will be inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 22. BY PAUL POST WCKM-FM Morning Club co-hosts Dan Miner and Pete Cloutier have been named to the New York State Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame. Previous inductees include Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters and Al Roker. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. “I still can’t put my head around it,” Miner said. “I don’t think it’s going to hit me until we’re up on stage. It’s just really blowing my mind right now, when you look at the people who are going in.” “And the people who already are,” Cloutier said. “The thing I’m really proud of is that we’re representing small-market radio,” Miner said. “Big stations have a huge impact, but do they have
Courtesy Paul Post
the same impact that we do in a small market? I don’t think so. It’s about taking care of people on a one-one-one level. That’s what we do.” Miner, 61, a Whitehall High School alum, and the 81-year-old Cloutier, of Glens Falls, have worked together on the air for 29 years. Both had extensive broadcast backgrounds before joining forces. Miner remembers their first meeting, when they set ground rules for The Morning Club. “We got together in a room and I said, ‘We’re going to be stuck together. This is what we’re going to do. We’re going to have fun, we aren’t going to preach, we’re going to have a good time and rag on each other’,” he said. “Are you in?” “Yeah!” Cloutier said. “And we aren’t going to touch politics.” WCKM’s signal covers a population of about Continued On Page 11
Adirondack Regional Chamber Recognizes Sipowicz Assumes Arena Management 2026 Business Awards Nominees For October Role As Thunder Prepare For Season The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced the nominees for its 2026 Business Awards following a five-week nomination period this spring. For more than 30 years, the ARCC has recognized member businesses whose achievements strengthen the regional economy and enhance quality of life throughout the Adirondack region. The nominees will be honored and award recipients announced during the ARCC Business Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls, N.Y.. Registration is open at www.adirondackchamber.org/events. “Recognizing the achievements of our members is one of the highlights of the year,” said Tricia Rogers President & CEO of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. “These nominees exemplify the innovation, collaboration, and community spirit that drive our region forward. We invite the community to join us as we celebrate their accomplishments and the positive contributions they make every day.” The businesses and organizations were nominated by their peers and will be interviewed and scored by a committee of volunteer ARCC members. Large Business of the Year nominees are The Queensbury Hotel and Stark Tech. Professional Business of the Year nominees
are CEFO Advisors, Every Penny Bookkeeping Services, Saratoga Pure Water Systems, and Capital CFO+. Steven M. Sutton Small Business of the Year nominees are OrbitalFire Cybersecurity, McCann’s Pharmacy, Adirondack Moving Company, ADKtechs, Queensbury Cigar & Pipe, The Log Jam Restaurant, and Five Towers Media. Rookie Business of the Year nominees are ADK Karting, Bandstand Brew Works, and Downtown Dogs Spa & Boutique. Large Nonprofit Organization nominees are Glens Falls Hospital, Healthy Alliance, Hudson Headwaters Health Network PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), and Crandall Public Library. Small Nonprofit Organization nominees are World Awareness Children’s Museum, Veterans and Community Housing Coalition (VCHC), The Chapman Museum, Comfort Food Community, Tri-County United Way, Glens Falls Collaborative, Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, Glens Falls Area Youth Center, Creative Jam Foundation, and the Glens Falls Senior Center. Community Champion nominees are White Glove Service, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, and Advokate, LLC. Provided by Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce; edited for style and length.
BY PAUL POST Section H, Row 10, Seat 2. That’s where Tadd Sipowicz was sitting with teenage buddies the last time an Adirondack pro hockey team, the Red Wings, won a league championship. “It’s been a long time, we’re due,” the 49-yearold Hudson Falls High School graduate said. “The expectation is to win. That’s the goal.” He’s doing everything possible to help players, coaches and front-office staff make such dreams become reality as Adirondack Thunder team president and Harding Mazzotti Arena president and general manager. Sipowicz took over on an interim basis following the surprise departure of Jeff Mead from those positions, only weeks before training camp opens on Oct. 3. Sipowicz, who’s been with the team 11 years, also will continue in his role as chief revenue officer. He said he anticipates continued strong fan and business community support, despite Mead’s somewhat puzzling exodus. The Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, which manages the city-owned arena, issued a brief statement saying Mead “is no longer employed,” without further explanation. He was named ECHL Executive of the Year in 2024 and in November was named chairman of the league’s Board of Governors. “I’m not going to speculate on why it hap-
Tadd Sipowicz, president of Adirondack Thunder and Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls. Courtesy Adirondack Thunder
pened,” Sipowicz said. “It was a (Coalition) board decision. From the feedback on my end from corporate partners, I think people believe it’s in good hands. So far it’s been tremendous support.” “Season tickets are ahead of last year and we’re Continued On Page 11